Nursery World - Computers rule at age six

Today's six-year-olds are 'digital natives' who may be more familiar with computers than they are with basic forms of communication, the head of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) said last week. Speaking in London at the QCA's vocational e-learning and e-assessment conference, QCA chief executive Ken Boston said, 'The teenagers of the future, who may be among the first candidates to take new diplomas, are six-year-olds today. They have just started primary school but are already learning to spell and read from computers, and they are already manipulating images on screen.'

Speaking in London at the QCA's vocational e-learning and e-assessment conference, QCA chief executive Ken Boston said, 'The teenagers of the future, who may be among the first candidates to take new diplomas, are six-year-olds today. They have just started primary school but are already learning to spell and read from computers, and they are already manipulating images on screen.'

He added, 'The days of families sitting around the fireplace playing Scrabble and Monopoly are being replaced by sibling rivalry over who will be first to reach the next level of a computer game. Today's six-year-old is a "digital native", perhaps more familiar with a Graphical User Interface than with pen and paper.'

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included